CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas has been awarded a $2.3 million grant to help prepare mathematics and science teachers for the Little Rock and North Little Rock school districts.

University officials said Wednesday the school will receive the Transition to Teaching grant from the U.S. Department of Education over a five-year period.

The goal is to support efforts to recruit mid-career professionals and recent graduates with degrees outside of education and help them become teachers through alternative certification routes.

Officials say the school districts and the university will work together to recruit, prepare, place and retain math and science teachers to work in schools that have a documented need for teachers in these subjects.

The university is expected to have 120 recruits by the end of the grant period.